Building system and construction units and elements therefor



Dec- 7, 1937-. G. F. KOTRBATY 2,101,074

BUILDING SYSTE AND CQNSTRUCTIO-N UNITS AND ELEMENTS THEREFOR Filed April22, 1935 INVENToR. GUY F. KDTRBATY @Mu 114m Patented Dec. 7, A1937UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE BUILDING sYs'rEM AND CONSTRUCTION UNITS ANDELEMENTS THEREFOR poration of Delaware Application April 22,

18 Claims.

1932, Building construction, and 1,968,045 of July 31, 1934, Buildingconstruction, together with their divisional patents and applications,there have been described building constructions in whichself-supporting grid units having spaced l5 panel members were securedto and locked by composite stud members having keyways formed therein,and provided further with keys for locking abutted stud memberstogether. Stress has been laid on the provision of an improved mono- 20lithic wall and floor joint construction enabling the building andformation of completely monolithically bonded steel houses. Suchconstructions are structurally eillcient and give excellent results.

It has now been found, that under certain conditions, mechanical bondswith or without partial monolithic bonding, may, at times be employed lto better advantage than acomplete monolithic bond in association withthe self-supporting structural steel wall and floor members. In certain3g building constructions it is desired to use continuous wall membersand the like, to permit the introduction of service pipes and conduitsof various types.

The improvements of the present inventionrelate more in detail togenerally prefabricated. unitary and composite wall members and wallunits and to improvements in methods and means for assembling the sameinto completed structures. The present invention includes as additional4c features of novelty improved wall joint-locking and/or decorativelmembers and associated wall panel features. In addition, the novelimprovements of the presentl invention include provisions for theutilization of skeletal or partlyskeletal structural featuresinvprefabricat'ed elements and structures including preforme materialsand panels thereof, and the erection and assembly of the same intocompleted units and structures with or without associating suitablehardenable structural plastic materials therewith.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a buildingconstructionsystem formed of selfsupporting units lmutually abutted andinterlocked by novel structural locking members.

It is another feature of this invention to provide 1935, serial No.17,591

(ci. "lz-1) improved structural elements. including stud members adaptedto receive structural locking and keying members and form compositesupporting members therewith.

It is also a feature of novelty of the present in- 5 vention to providepreformed, self-supporting wall sections having substantially completelyfinished surfacings and adapted to be mutually associated in completedwalls by a variety of integral and composite locking and/or keyingmeans.

Other features of novelty include preformed, self-supporting wallmembers provided with a variety of internal heat and moisture insulatingmeans, and including hardened reinforced structural plastic segments asseparate elements l5 adapted to be assembled into a structural entityeither at the place of manufacture or erection or wholly or in part atboth places. I

Special features of novelty also include novel keying and locking meanswith wall structural -20 features with or without integral or separatefurbishing and ornamental and protective-elements for wall panel or'element joints.

Particular features of novelty include the preparation and utilizationof preformed, self- 2s supporting wall panel sectionsv of room height orbuilding height mutually associated in complete wall structures withvertical supporting and locking members incorporated therein or adaptedto be structurally associated therewith.

It is also a, feature of novelty of the present invention to provideimproved studding and beam elements adapted to be mutually lnterlockedor keyed together, and so constituted and arranged as to permit the freepassage therethrough of 35 service pipes and conduits of various kinds.

Other features of novelty of the present invention includeself-supporting building construction units adapted to be associatedwith other like units and separate members to form composite 40 buildingsupporting members provided with panelreceiving means for securingpanelling or surfacings to the walls thereof. y

- Itis also a feature of novelty and advantage of the present inventionto provide a steel building with the several parts mechanicallyinterlocked and adapted to receive plastic surfacings.

'Ihese and other desirable features will be described in the`accompanying specification and 50 illustrated. in the drawing, certainpreferred forms being shown by way of illustration only, for, since theunderlying features may be incorporated in other specific structuralassemblies, it is not intended to be limited to the ones here 55 shownexcept as such limitations are clearly imposed by the appended claims.

In the drawing like numerals referto similar parts throughout theseveral views, of which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a latticed studincluding oor connection members;

Fig. 2 is a partial elevation of a modified composite stud assemblyhaving apertured web o1' side sections adapted for lateral slidingengagementvand interiitting and provided with separate keying means;

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections of keying members adapted for usewith the stud construction of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in broken section.'

of structural wall units showing means for securing a variety ofsurfacings to the panel.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Fig. 1 a structurallyeicient studding 30 including opposed edge channels 36 spaced apart andsecured by interposed lattice members 37. This studding member isdesigned to receive wall panel members or Wall units and support same onthe members 3l, or wall members and/or units may be secured to thestudding elements 36 in any desired manner, as by Welding, or bymechanical means. The apertures formed between the cross bars or latticeelements 3 7, provide apertures therebetween, which not only lighten theweight of the studs Without detracting from their structural einciency,but also permit the passage of horizontal building services, pipes,wiring, conduits, etc., therethrough. The sides or studding elements 36may be provided with integral or attached feet 35 disposed therebetweenwhich serve to attach and secure the studding to suitable base supports.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown an improved composite studmember adapted to support structural panels in spaced relations and formstructural building units therewith. The construction shown in Fig. 2 isdesignated generally by the numeral 266. This composite construction, aswill be-noted more in detail therewith, provides continuous latticed orsubstantially open ended stud constructions permitting the passage andintroduction of building servicings, such as pipes, conduits, etc.

Referring now more specically to the improved composite structure shownin Fig. 2, a pair of opposed, generally channel shape members 26| and262 are shown, abutted and interlocked and keyed by a key member 263.The channel section 26| comprises a pair of spaced angles 264, 265spaced apart and secured to and by the lattice members 266. Thesemembers may be spaced apart in any suitable arrangement to provideapertures therethrough. The section or angle 264 has an exterior angeprovided with a separate flange 26M to form a channel shaped member,both of the anges being inturned. 'I'he member 265 has its end flangesection-bent over to form an abutting and depending gripping and lockingange 265a adapted-t0 engage the keying member-.263, and moreparticularly the key flange 263:1 thereof. Member 263 is provided withapair of key flanges 2'63a and 263b formed generally parallel with thebottom portion or body of the member and turned inwardly thereof. Thecomposite stud section member 262 cornprises end channels 261 and 268with an intermediatey expanded section having diagonal latticos ormembers 269 integral with the end sections. The sections 269 may beformed by slotting the body or bottom portion of the generally channelshaped member 262 by stretching'or expanding the same to pull the crosspieces or diagonals 269 apart. The flange 261 of stud section 262 isprovided with a gripping flange section 26111 adapted to overlie andreceive the locking flange 264a of section 26E. The stud flange section268 in its turn is provided with an overlyingbeaded edge and flangesection 268a corresponding generally to the section 265:1 of the opposedabutted member. Key section 263 is adapted to be slid over in mutuallocking engagement with the flange sections l265a and 266:1, lockingthem in place after member 26! and associated structural parts have beenslid into laterally abutting and locking engagement with section 262 byhaving flange 26611 slide in fitting engagement into gripping andsecuring section 26M. With this construction it will be noted that amere sliding, lateral pushing engagement permits the accurate alignmentof stud sections 26H and 262 and their associated building parts andthis alignment may be accurately and permanently secured by providinganl extra locking member 263 fitted in place over the locking members ofthe stud sections. -It will be noted that the key member 263 may beprovided with a central stiffening bead 263e in the body portion thereofto provide extra stiifenng and structural strength to the combination.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a self-supporting building wall member will nowbe described. For purpose of convenience these separate panel sectionswill be individually identified to permit reference thereto.

f Referring now to Fig. 5, a panel construction 316 is shown. In thisconstruction there is shown, by way of example, end structural studsections 262 including opposed flanged edges 261, 266 spaced apart andheld by expanded lattice members 269. These members 3W may have panelsurfacings 3H of any suitable material applied thereover, includingforaminous metal lath or the like. An insulating lling 3I2 may be usedto fill the inter-panelling space. Structural surfacings 305 may beapplied to one or both surfaces and may include hardenable cementitiousplastics or structural sheet materials. Where panelling members ortilings are to be applied over the surfacings as exterior structuralnishes, securing members designated generally by the numeral 306 may besecured between the stud sections 262 and tilings or fabric bricks 3|3,or other members slid in interlocking engagement therewith. The jointsof these members may be llled with suitable Waterproof grouting orbinding material, including plastic rubber base compositions, mortar,putties and other suitable materials. Where desired, ashings 249 ofsuitable size and wall surfacings 305 may be applied in the usualmanner.

It will be now appreciated that there have been provided improvedstructural building systems including preformed and prefabricated walland floor units and panels either as unitary constructions or ascomposite multipartite constructions, said panels and building unitsbeing adapted to be secured to improved building supporting members andto engage same in mutual interlocking relationship. In addition, theirnprovements of the present invention have been disclosed withstructural skeleton supporting members and units adapted to be used ascarcasses for a variety ofrpreformed building units and sections, aswell as to permit the fabrication and erection of aligned wall andcorner wall constructions and -to permit 'the elaboration of thestructural carcass sections into complete building skeletons over whichstructural cementitious coating and panelling, either cast or applied inpreformed and prefabricated condition in situ, or structural elementsand composite parts may be secured.

. mating parts adapted for mutual sliding engage- While certain novelfeatures of the invention have been shown and described andare pointedout in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the forms andassemblies illustrated and in their mutual cooperation may be made bythose skilled in the art or withoutdeparting from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim: l

1. A structural composite stud member comprising a two-part abutted andlatticed channel construction, one side edge of each channel havingunilateral mating sections including a channeled angular flange on onesection and a straight, angular flange on the other sections iltting thechanneled flange in a sliding flt, and movable laterally into operativeposition therein, bent-over key-receiving flanges on the other edges ofthe channels, and loi-laterally channeled key-ing means tting over andengaging the said keying flanges in longitudinal sliding keyingengagement.

2. A composite structural stud member comprising a two-part constructiqnincluding generally channel-shaped members having apertured basesections forming latticed construction,

flanges forming the sides of the separate channel members, said flangesbeing adapted tol receive panel sections of self-supporting buildingunits, the said sections being adapted to be abutted and mutuallyinterlocked to form composite structural studmembers, they said severalsections including unilateral tongued and grooved ment, opposed returnflanges on the other side of the sections, and unitary keying meansfltting in and over the return flanges.

3. A structural composite stud member comprising a pair of generallychannel-shaped sheet metal members, the said members being abutted toform a hollow columnar section, unilateral tongued and grooved matingsections formed on the sides of the members and interiorly thereof;inturned locking flanges formed on the `other sides of the members, andseparate .bi-laterally channeled and longitudinally slotted keying meansadapted to overlie and secure the last said locking flanges.

4. A structural composite stud member comprising a pair of generallychannel-shaped sheet metal members, the said members being abutted' toIform a hollow columnar section, mating sectio/ns formed on the sides ofthe members and interiorly thereof; inturned locking flanges formed onthe other sides of the members and separate keying means adapted tooverlie and secure the last said locking fiangesthe said mating lockingsections including an inturned flange on one channel member, and aninturned channeled flange on the other member adapted to receive the rstsaid flange in the said channeled flange.

5. A structural composite stud member comprising a pair of metalmembers, the said members being abutted to form a hollow columnarsection, mating secgenerally channel-shaped sheet tions formed on thesides of the members and in teriorly thereof; inturned locking flangesformed on the other sides of the members, and separate keying meansadapted to overlie and secure the last said locking flanges, theintermediate or base sections of channel members being apertured to formlattice constructions. l

6. A structural composite stud member comprising a pair of generallychannel-shapedl sheet metal members, the said members being abutted toform a hollow columnar section, mating sections formed on the sides ofthe members and linterlorly thereof; inturned locking flanges formed onthe other side of the members, and separate keying means adapted tooverlie and secure the last said locking flanges, the intermediate orbase sections of channel members being apertured to form latticeconstructions,'and the lattices being arranged in aligned relationship.

7. A structural composite stud member comprising a pair of generallychannel-shaped sheet metal members, the said members being abutted toform a hollow columnar section, mating sections formed on thesides ofthe members and interiorly thereof; inturned locking flanges formed onthe other sides of the members, and separate keying means adapted tooverlie and secure the last said locking flanges, the metal of the baseof the channel being slotted and expanded to form a lattice constructionin the stud member. i

B. A structural sheet metalchannel for composite latticed studconstructions comprising a generally channel-shaped member having anapertured base section, side sections defining a channel with the basesection, one of said side sections having a rectilinear ilange on itsedge and the other said side section having a reversely bent flangesection on its edge parallel to the side and forming a key-receivingchannel therewith.

9. A structural sheet metal channel for composite latticed studconstructionscomprising a generally channel-shaped member having anapertured base section, side sections defining a channel with the basesection, one of said side sections having a rectilinear ilange on itsedge extended and reversely bent to form a channel section adapted toreceive a flange section in mating locking engagement, and the'othersaid side section having a reversely bent flange section on its edgeparallel to the side and forming a key-receiving channel therewith.

l0. A structural sheet metal channel for composite latticed studconstructions comprising a generally channel-shaped member having aslot-- ted and expanded apertured base section, side sections defining achannel with the base sections, one of said side sections having arectilinear fiange on its edge and the other said side section having areversely bent flange section on its edge parallel to the side andforming a key-receiving channel therewith.

11. A structural sheet metal channel for com-v posite 'latticed studconstruction, comprising a generally channel-shaped member having aslotted and expanded -apertured base section, side sections defining achannel with the base section, one of said side sections .having arectilinear ,edge flange extended and reversely bent to form achannel'sectlon adapted to receive a Bange section in mating lockingengagement, and the other said side section having a reversely bent edgeflange section parallel to the side and forming a key-receiving channeltherewith.

12. In a construction of the type described in claim 3, improved keyingmeans comprising a sheet metal member having a base section and inturnededge flanges forming locking channels adapted to receive bent-overchannel edges of stud ilange sections.

13. In a construction of the type described in claim 3, improved keyingmeans comprising a sheet metal member having a base section and inturnededge flanges forming channels adapted to receive bent-over channel edgesof stud flange sections, the said base section having a centrallongitudinal bea'd' section and stiiening member formed therein.

14. A structural building unit comprising panel sections supported andspaced apart by end sections having means for the mutual interlocking ofsame with abutted like building unit sections, the said end sectionscomprising channel shaped structural members having the edges turnedoutwardly of the unit, one of said channels having an edge formed with arectilinear ilange and the other edge with a bent-over flange, the othersaid channel member having one edge formed with a rectilinear channeledflange and the other edge of the said second channel having a bent-overflange, the rectilinear flanges forming slip-llt locking members and thebent-over ilanges being locked together by common keying means whenstructural units are abutted and the rectilinear flanges slid int-omating engagement, the said abutted panel-spacing and end-supportingmeans forming hollow stud sections and being apertured to permit thepassing of horizontal pipes and building services therethrough.. i

15. A building .Wall construction including a plurality of abuttedself-supporting building units, each unit comprising spaced panelmembers secured to and spaced by apertured end members, the aperturedend members forming stud sections and formingcomposite studs with otherlike abutted members of building units and lockedthereto to formcomposite studs, the said end sections comprising channel shapedstructural members having the edges turned outwardly of the unit, one ofsaid channels having an edge formed with a rectilinear ilange and theother edge with a bent-over flange, the yother said channel memberhaving one ,edge formed with a rectilinear channeled flange and theother edge of the said second channel having bentover` ilange, therectilinear anges forming slipt locking members and the bent-overflanges being locked together by common keying means when structural'units are abutted and the rectilinear flanges slid into matingengagement, the

ing the edges turned outwardly of the unit, one of said channels havingan edge formed with a rectilinear flange and the other edge with abent-over flange, the other said channel member having one edge formedwith a rectilinear channeled flange and the other edge of the saidsecond channel having bent-over flange, the rectilinear flanges formingslip-llt locking members and the bent-over flanges being locked togetherby common keying means when structural units are abutted and therectilinear flanges slid into mating engagement, the said sections beingapertured and secured to other like sections of adjacent units wherebyto form hollow composite studs; the composite studs having the aperturesin alignment for passage of building services horizontallytherethrough,A and also permitting the passage of building servicesvertically therein.

17. A building wall construction, including self-supporting buildingunits having internal wall-faces secured to and spaced apart by end studsections, the said end sections comprising channel shaped structuralmembers having the edges turned outwardly of the unit, one of saidchannels having an edge formed with a rectilinear flange and the otheredge l'with a bentover flange, the other said channel member having oneedge formed with a rectilinear channeled flange and the other edge ofthe said second channel having a bent-over flange, the rectilinearflanges forming slip-fit locking members and the bent-over flanges beinglocked together by common keying means when structural units are abuttedand the rectilinear flanges slid into mating engagement; apertures inthe stud sections,'the so-formed composite studs being keyed togetherand being adapted to receive both vertical and horizontally disposedbuilding services.

18. A building construction system, including self-supporting structuralbuilding members having panel wall sections spaced apart and s'ecured byend stud sections, the said end sections comprising/channel shapedstructural members having the edges turned outwardly of the unit, one ofsaid channels having an edge formed with a rectilinear flange and theother edge with a f bent-over flange, the other -said channel -memberhaving one edge formed Wit-h a rectilinear channeled flangeand the otheredge of the saidA permitting the passage of building services verticallytherein. f I

GUY F. KOTRBATY.

